Humor In Art

Anyone who has owned a dog knows that although they lack verbal communication skills (besides barking, of course), dogs have a unique way of expressing emotions through their faces and eyes. A dog owner can easily recognize when his dog is happy, sad or begging for a treat. And every dog certainly has a classic face – a signature expression that is so quintessentially him.

Unfortunately, most owners outlive their dogs, and many like to remember their beloved pets by their unique, adorable faces and expressions. Dog sculptures can capture those expressions in greater detail than photographs can; these personalized collectibles are priceless when it comes to remembering your beloved dog’s playful nature. If you’d like to own a timeless memorial of your dog, look into commissioning a sculpture from a talented artist who specializes in dog sculptures.

Many times, multi-dimensional people are compressed into one-dimensional images. While photographs are mostly accurate representations of how people look, they are flat and fail to completely convey their attitudes and personalities. Further, technology allows even the least tech-savvy person to manipulate photos – why not smooth a laugh line here, erase a scar there? Some may view these manipulations as improvements, but some forms of art find joy and humanity in those small details. They are not imperfections, but rather characteristics that make every individual unique.

Custom sculptures of people and pets, like those done by artist Elaine Brewer-White, emphasize and celebrate each subject’s unique, loveable characteristics. She creates sculptures that capture the humor and humanity in life, making them perfect ways to immortalize your friends, family members and pets. Think of what you most love about a parent or child. Is it his smile? The way his eyes crinkle up when he laughs? No matter what unique characteristic you treasure most, a custom sculpture can capture it beautifully and become a heartfelt keepsake for you and your loved ones.

Whether having a portrait sculpture created or requesting a custom sculpture for the home, it’s important to choose a sculptor whose artistic ability mirrors the desire result. Most sculptors will have a sculpture gallery comprised of either actual sculptures or photos, illustrating their own creations. Through researching an artist’s sculpture gallery, it’s possible to discover their own sculpting style. Every sculptor has a different style; some might strive for realism, while others might have a different perspective that will shine through to their art. When requesting a sculpture, it’s essential to check out the artist’s sculpture gallery beforehand, and ask questions about how they would design your sculpture.

Artists that don’t have a sculpture gallery are probably amateurs or are ashamed of their work, so be sure to avoid these if at all possible. However, also realize that all artists start somewhere, and who knows, a sculpture from a budding artist might wind up a priceless piece if they become the next Michaelangelo!

While some people would argue that cave paintings are the oldest forms of what we could call art, others believe that at the same time cave paintings were conceived, our ancient ancestors indulged in sculpture.  There are sculptures dating back much further than most paintings, with much of the reason being a sculptures being more resilient to aging.  It’s quite possible there were sculptors in the ancient world, but their sculpture techniques were so unrefined that we might not even recognize their attempts at art from a hewn rock.  Despite having unknown origins, the sculptor is one of the most celebrated artists throughout time with a positive place in almost all cultures.  There were sculptors throughout the Greek and Roman empire, in Asia, in the Americas, and in most societies throughout the world.  These ancient sculptors would become even more famous in our time for their work back then as it was preserved for thousands of years. 

There are hundreds of renowned sculptures that date back thousands and even tens of thousands of years.  These sculptors were prominent figures in their societies, and would provide the inspiration to all the sculptors of our modern era.

Clay has long been used as a material for creating sculptures, and because of its malleable nature, can be crafted into a wide range of shapes.  Clay becomes malleable when mixed with water in certain proportions, and while the clay remains wet, it can be shaped and sculpted with ease.  When the clay dries out, it can crack and become rigid.  When fired in a kiln, there are permanent chemical reactions that occur within the clay to prevent it from becoming soft and malleable again.  In ancient times, clay was used for making pottery in various cultures.  Clay is distributed throughout the world, and most often there are numerous layers of clay right below the ground’s surface.  Because of its wide distribution, clay was used to create bowls, dishes, tools, and all kinds of living essentials in ancient cultures.  Clay was also used in art to create clay sculptures and other pieces.

When clay dries, it becomes near impermeable to water, and because of this it was often used in bricks to create structures such as houses.  We still use clay in modern times to create barriers in dams or landfills to prevent toxic substances from seeping into the ground.

The hearth is one of the most important locations in the household, and one of the focal points of the family.  The mantle above the hearth and the objects placed upon it can speak volumes about the character of the family members.  Most people place pictures, sculptures, or ceramic artwork above the mantle as these pieces can express the most important aspects of family.  The pictures on the mantle should celebrate the family’s most cherished moments, and sculptures and ceramic pieces should represent the family’s opinions about art and life. 

For example, the pictures on the mantle might be from a memorable vacation, a romantic getaway between husband and wife, or just a holiday event.  Nobody wants to look at those bland pictures taken at a professional photographer, so leave those out!  The sculptures and ceramics on the mantle should also reflect family life.  Think of what kinds of objects reflect the family’s style; is it traditional, contemporary?  Think about your heritage; is it an important part of the family?  What colors represent the different family members?  You might even think about custom sculptures of each individual family member!

Let’s face it, whether it’s a mother, father, significant other, or just a close relative or friend, it’s no fun giving someone special a gift they could purchase themselves.  It’s important to have a personal gift for all those special people in life, and when it comes to personal gifts, it’s best to think creative.  Art makes a wonderful gift for a special person.  In addition, personalized art makes it a one of a kind piece.

Here are some options to consider:

~Portrait~ You can find custom portrait artists or painters in most larger cities, and these people can compose a unique piece of art from a picture or from a session with the subject.  Having a self portrait is a time honored tradition that traces back to a time before photography. 

~Custom Sculpture~ Clay sculptures are unique pieces of art that will be remembered for generations to come.  Portrait clay sculptor professionals are also common in most cities, or take a look around online.

~Ceramics~  While not quite as personal as a portrait or portrait sculptor, an original ceramic creation can be just as personal and enjoyable.

I think one of the best experiences I had when I was in my mid-twenties was visiting an artist’s studio.  I received my college degree in mathematics, and was an actuary at a health insurance company.  I always felt like art was kind of at the opposite end of the educational and career spectrum.  But I had also been told throughout my life that I was quite creative.  I was introduced to someone through a friend who was a professional designer.  The artist, named David, told me that he often worked with architects and structural designers to create original indoor and outdoor sculptures.  I was fascinated, and asked him to take me to his sculpture studio.

In David’s sculpture studio, there were a lot of great sculptures, and quite a few also unfinished.  He had an entire collection of sculpted dragons, modeled after Chinese dragons, that I enjoyed.  When I was about to leave, David gave me one of the smaller dragons and asked me to paint it for him!  I spent a lot of time on it, using several different varieties of colored clay, and when I returned to the sculpture studio, David said he loved it!  I continue to paint for him now and then to this day, and it’s such a fun activity.

I’ve always thought that my Auntie Jan was a little bit odd.  Scattered around her house, she has a huge collection of animal sculptures.  From what my mom has told me, she’s never had pets, but her collection of dog sculptures probably weighs more than a Great Dane!  While I’ve always wondered where Auntie Jan’s fascination with sculptures came from, I’ve also recognized that my mom seems to share some of the same fascination (though to a much lesser extent). 

While I was in high school, I took a class on making ceramics and found that I wasn’t half bad at it.  In the first couple weeks, I made a sculpture of my dog, Ludo, and the teacher praised me for the detail of it.  After recognizing I had a particular passion for sculpture, I talked to Auntie Jan and she told me that all of her sculptures were made by a professional sculptor.  I didn’t even know there was such a thing, but professional sculptors are not all that uncommon.  I think I even dreamed of becoming one for a time!

It’s inevitable that pets will pass on before their masters, however, for those truly special pets that touch our lives like no others have, you might consider immortalizing them in a pet sculpture.  Though custom sculptors aren’t all that common, if you can find one, having pet sculptures made of your lifelong animal friends will preserve their memories forever.  You can display pet sculptures on the mantle, a bedside table, or even on the Christmas tree, no matter where you put them they’re sure to keep watch over you and your family.  They’re also great for pet enthusiasts who just love to show off their pets!

Don’t let your pets pass on without having something to remember them by, pet sculptures are an ideal way to stay connected with your animals even after they pass.